Barbara Matic Dominates in Women’s -70 kg Judo Quarterfinals

The Women’s -70 kg Quarterfinal at the Paris 2024 Olympics showcased an intense match between Barbara Matic from Croatia and Ai Tsunoda Roustant from Spain. The bout took place on July 31, 2024, at the renowned Champ-de-Mars Arena, where Matic displayed her exceptional skills to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Matic, holding the top world ranking and boasting a remarkable record, including a first-place finish at the World Judo Championships in Hungary in 2021, entered the match as the favorite. The competition was fierce, with both athletes demonstrating their judo prowess. Early in the contest, Matic took control, earning her first point through an impressive IPP, which is the highest scoring technique in judo.

The match progressed with strategic exchanges and penalties, but Matic maintained her lead, ultimately concluding the contest with a total score of 10 points, defeating Tsunoda Roustant, who had previously shown her own potential by winning the Paris Grand Slam in 2023. Tsunoda, ranked 10th in the world, fought valiantly but could not overcome Matic’s skill and experience, finishing the match with a score of 0 points.

Referee Vyacheslav Pereteyko from Uzbekistan officiated the match, ensuring that the rules of judo were upheld throughout the bout. The contest lasted for 5 minutes and 10 seconds, with Matic’s victory confirmed as she progressed to the semifinals, bringing her one step closer to Olympic glory.

This match not only highlighted Matic's formidable talent but also set the stage for an exciting continuation of women's judo in the Olympic Games. Fans around the world are eagerly anticipating her next performance as she aims for gold in Paris.